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Sly Stone, Funk Innovator and Family Stone Frontman, Dies at 82

He died after a prolonged battle with COPD, having completed a screenplay of his life story following a 2024 memoir.

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FILE - Rock star Sylvester "Sly" Stone of Sly and the Family Stone appears in April 1972. (AP Photo, File)
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Overview

  • Sly Stone fronted Sly and the Family Stone to mainstream acclaim with a groundbreaking fusion of funk, soul and psychedelic rock, releasing classics like "Dance to the Music," "Everyday People" and "Family Affair."
  • His multiracial, mixed-gender lineup was the first of its kind on a major stage, galvanizing audiences with socially conscious performances at Woodstock in 1969 and redefining pop music’s cultural landscape.
  • Escalating cocaine addiction and erratic stage appearances in the early 1970s fractured the group and led to its breakup by the mid-1970s.
  • Stone passed away peacefully at age 82 on June 9, 2025, following a protracted battle with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and other health issues.
  • His pioneering sound reshaped popular music, inspiring musicians from Miles Davis and Prince to contemporary hip-hop artists who continue to sample his grooves.